Patent Application
20220411216
The present invention relates to the field of systems for preparing a radiofrequency identification tag. It finds a particularly advantageous application in automating the integration of radiofrequency identification tags on a support, and in particular textiles.
Radiofrequency identification tags, also known as RFID tags, can be used to identify, track, and even analyze the use of the support on which they are attached.
In particular, hospitals or hotels often use RFID tags to identify and track linens, such as bed sheets, pillowcases and towels, during use and then for cleaning in the laundry.
In this context, RFID tags are designed and attached to laundry to sustainably withstand almost continuous use as well as intensive cleaning of laundry in harsh washing processes, particularly in terms of pressure, temperature, and chemical products used.
There are RFID tag preparation methods. According to a first example, document FR 3012682 (A1) describes a method for manufacturing an RFID tag for linens that must withstand industrial laundry cycles. According to a second example. According to a second example, document WO 2017/195970 (A1) describes a method for manufacturing an RFID tag that can be placed on a fabric.
At the end of this production, the RFID tags are generally placed and attached on the fabrics manually, by operators. These operations can be done either during the manufacture of the linens or by the owner of the linens, for example in hospitals or hotels. However, manual placement, or even manual attachment, of the RFID tag has the disadvantage of being long and expensive. The result also depends on the qualification of the operator in charge of this operation. Errors may therefore occur, which may further increase the cost of the RFID tag preparation methods.
Document EP 2340513 A2 discloses a system for transferring RFID tags to an object, in which the tags are supported by a continuous strip.
Document US 2009/126861 A1 discloses a system for forming RFID tags on packaging, comprising a system for unwinding a support strip and a peeling member in combination with a pressing member.
An objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a system facilitating the automation of the preparation of an RFID tag, and more particularly with a view to its attachment to a support.
The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It is understood that other benefits may be incorporated.
To achieve this objective, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for preparing a radiofrequency identification tag with a view to attachment to a support, characterized in that it comprises a placement device for placing at least one radiofrequency identification tag, configured so as to place the tag on the support, the placement device comprising:
Thus, the system allows the tag to be positioned on the support via the movement of the displacement member, while ensuring the holding of the tag. Therefore, the system makes it possible to go further in automating tag preparation than the existing solutions. More particularly, the system allows automation of the placement of the tag with a view to its attachment to the support, for example a textile.
Advantageously, the system can be used in a standard method for manufacturing the support. The system can for example additionally be mounted on a production line of the support. The system can alternatively or additionally be used to tag the support after manufacture thereof, and in particular by the owner of the support.
According to a second aspect of the invention, separable from or complementary to the first aspect, there is provided a system for preparing a radiofrequency identification tag with a view to attachment to a support, characterized in that in that the system comprises a device for supplying at least one radiofrequency identification tag, the supply device comprising:
From the reel, a strip of tags can thus be unwound and oriented in an automated manner toward another device in the system, or even toward another system. Therefore, the system makes it possible to go further in automating tag preparation than the existing solutions. In particular, the system allows automation, following the manufacture of the tag, of the preparation of the radiofrequency identification tag with a view to attachment to the support, such as a textile.
The system may further comprise a placement device, and more particularly a holding member, having a configuration for releasing the tag, and a configuration for holding the tag, the orientation member being configured to cooperate with the placement device so as to supply it with the tag. Preferably, the first driving direction and the second driving direction are orthogonal. The placement device may further comprise the displacement member according to the features set out above.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for preparing a radiofrequency identification tag with a view to attachment to a support, via a radiofrequency identification tag preparation system according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising:
The aims, objects, as well as the features and advantages of the invention will emerge better from the detailed description of an embodiment of the latter that is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings are given by way of examples and do not limit the invention. They constitute schematic illustrations intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not necessarily at the scale of practical applications. In particular, the dimensions and the relative distances between the elements of the system are not necessarily representative of reality.
Before undertaking a detailed review of embodiments of the different aspects of the invention, optional features of the first and second aspects of the invention are set out below, which may optionally be used in combination or alternatively:
In the remainder of the description, use will be made of terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “longitudinal,” “transverse,” “upper,” “lower.” These terms should be interpreted relatively with regard to the position of the tag preparation system in the coordinate system illustrated in the figures. For example, “higher” and “lower” mean relative to the z axis, an element higher than another element being arranged in a plane located above the plane of this other element relative to the z axis.
The RFID tag preparation system 1 according to a particular embodiment is now described with reference to
The system 1 is configured in such a way as to allow the placement of an RFID tag 2 on a support 3. The support 3 can more particularly be a textile, such as a bed linen or a bathroom linen. During or after the placement of the tag 2, this tag 2 can be attached to the support 3, for example by sewing or heat-sealing. Thus, the support 3 can be identified or even tracked by radio-identification.
The system 1 can therefore comprise a device 11 for supplying the tag and/or a device 10 for placing the tag 2. When the system 1 comprises the tag supply device 11 and the placement device 10, these two devices can cooperate with each other so that the supply device 11 supplies the tag 2 to the placement device 10, the latter then being able to place the tag 2 on the support 3.
The tag placement device 10 is first described in detail according to one embodiment of the system 1 and allows the release and placement of the tag 2 on the support 3 according to one embodiment of the tag preparation method. The placement device 10 for placing the tag 2 comprises a displacement member 100 and a holding member 101 for the tag. This displacement member 100 is movable between a loading position and a placement position of the tag 2. In the loading position, the displacement member 100 is more particularly configured so that the tag can be loaded into the holding member 101, as illustrated for example in
The holding member 101 has a tag 2 release configuration, in which the tag 2 is not held by the holding member 101, and a tag 2 holding configuration, in which the tag 2 is held by the holding member 101.
The action kinematics of the placement device 10 can be described as follows. A tag 2 can first be supplied to the placement device 10 when the displacement member 100 is in the loading position, and when the holding member 101 is in the release position. The holding member 101 can then be taken to its tag 2 holding configuration. The displacement member 100 can then move the holding member 101 from the loading position to the placement position. The holding member 101 can then be taken to its release position, so as to leave the tag 2 in the desired location of the support 3. The displacement member 100 can return the holding member 101 to the loading position. The next tag 2 can then be handled by the system 1.
According to the example illustrated by
To hold the tag 2, the holding member 101 may comprise a jaw 1010. This jaw 1010 can extend transversely along a loading direction y1 of the tag in the placement device 10. The loading direction y1 is preferably distinct from the translational movement direction x1 of the displacement member, and preferably orthogonal, or even perpendicular, to this direction x1.
Furthermore, the jaw 1010 can comprise a first member 1010a, preferably a lower member, and a second member 1010b, preferably an upper member, between which the tag 2 can be inserted when the holding member 100 is in the release configuration. By way of illustration, the following describes the particular embodiment in which the jaw comprises a lower member 1010a and an upper member 1010b. Preferably, the jaw 1010 is configured so as to hold the tag 2 by its thickness when the holding member 101 is in the holding configuration.
To this end, the lower member 1010a and the upper member 1010b can be spaced apart vertically by a first distance, that is to say, along the z axis perpendicular to the loading direction y1. The first distance is then greater than the thickness of the tag 2, so as to allow the passage of the tag 2 between the members 1010a, 1010b of the jaw 1010. In the holding configuration, the lower member 1010a and the upper member 1010b can be spaced apart vertically by a second distance of less than the thickness of the tag 2, so as to block the tag 2 between the members 1010a, 1010b of the jaw 1010.
To move the members 1010a, 1010b away from or closer to the jaw 1010, the members 1010a, 1010b are configured such that at least one of the lower member 1010a and the upper member 1010b has a degree of freedom in flexion with respect to the other member, over at least one angular interval. Thus, the holding member 101 is configured similarly to a clamp that can release or hold the tag 2 depending on the distance between these two members 1010a, 1010b. Through a flexural movement, the first member 1010a and the second member 1010b of the jaw can be brought together until they come into contact with the tag 2. The system 1 is thus suitable for the automated preparation of RFID tags of different thicknesses. At least one of the lower member 1010a and the upper member 1010b can in particular be constrained in flexion by the support of at least one linear actuator 1011. Preferably, the at least one flexibly deformable member is formed from an elastically deformable material, for example metal. Thus, when the linear actuator 1011 is not resting on the member, the holding member passes from the holding configuration to the release configuration by elastic return of the deformable member in flexion to its unconstrained position.
According to the example illustrated in
According to this example, a pair of needle cylinders 1011 have a body by which they are mounted by a first end 1011a on the lower member 1010a. The second end 1011b of each needle cylinder 1011 is the end of a cylinder rod, arranged so as not to constrain the upper member 1010b in flexion when the holding member 101 is in the release configuration. When the holding member 101 is in the holding configuration, each needle cylinder 1011 can be deployed in translation in the direction x1, as illustrated by the arrow M1, so as to bring their second end 1011b to bear on the pair of tabs 1010b, to constrain them in flexion, and thus to bring the two members 1010a, 1010b closer together.
The jaw 1010 can further comprise a loading guide 1010c extending along the direction y1 between the two tabs 1010b, to ensure sliding of the tag 2 along the loading direction y1, from one tab to the other.
In addition, the dimensions of the holding member 101 can be chosen so that at least one edge of the tag 2 is free, in particular when the holding member 101 is in its holding configuration. Thus, the attachment of the tag 2 by its edge that has remained free is facilitated. According to the example illustrated in
The dimensions of the holding member 101 can also be chosen to facilitate its insertion between two supports 3, and in particular between two fabrics. The thickness of the holding member is for example 6.5 mm.
The holding member 101 may further comprise a sliding plate 1012, configured to be movable relative to the jaw 1010, and more particularly relative to at least one of the lower member 1010a and the upper member 1010b. The sliding plate 1012 can in particular be translatable relative to the jaw 1010, in the direction x1. When the jaw 1010 is moved in translation from the placement position to the loading position, in the direction indicated by the arrow M2 illustrated for example by
In addition, the loading guide 1010c can guide the translational movement of the sliding plate 1012 and thus limit, or even prevent, a movement of the latter in the direction z during the deposition of the tag. Furthermore, if the tag is attached to the support when the displacement member is in the placement position, the risk of tearing off the tag when the displacement member 100 is withdrawn is minimized or even avoided.
According to the example illustrated in
To drive the sliding plate 1012 in translation in the direction x1, the displacement member 100 can comprise a second linear actuator 1001, for example a cylinder. This actuator can be mounted by a first portion, and preferably by a first end 1001a, to the frame 102. The linear actuator 1001 can be mounted by a second portion, and preferably by a second end 1001b, to the sliding plate 1012, and more particularly to its wall 1012a, as illustrated in
More particularly, the action kinematics of the first linear actuator 1000 and of the second linear actuator 1001 can be as follows. The first linear actuator 1000, which is connected to the jaw 1010, can be actuated by driving the second actuator 1001, which is for example an ejector cylinder then free of pressure. Once the holding member has entered the release configuration and the tag 2 has been placed, the second actuator 1001 is actuated, for example pressurized, and the first linear actuator 1000 withdraws, so as to cause a shift in position between the sliding plate 1012 and the jaw 1010. When the first linear actuator 1000 reaches a certain stroke position between the placement position and the loading position, for example when it is detected at a sensor, the second actuator 1001 can be deactivated; for example, the pressure in this actuator drops. The first actuator 1000 can then bring the second actuator 1001 back to the loading position.
According to the example illustrated in
The supply device 11 of the tag 2, which is separable from the placement device, is now described in detail according to one embodiment of the system 1 and allows the supply of the tag 2, even its preparation upstream of its supply, according to one embodiment of the tag preparation method. The device 11 for supplying the tag 2 first comprises a drive member 110 configured to drive the tag 2 along a first driving direction x2. The tag can more particularly take the form of a strip 20 comprising a plurality of tags 2 wound up in the form of a reel. The drive member 110 can be configured to unwind the strip 20 by driving it along the first driving direction x2.
The supply device 11 further comprises a member 111 for orienting the strip 20, configured to orient the strip 20 along a second driving direction y1 distinct from the first driving direction x2. To this end, the orientation member 111 comprises a bevel gear 1110 disposed along an axis that is not perpendicular to the first driving direction x2. According to the example illustrated by
The orientation member 111 can more particularly be configured to cooperate with the placement device 10, so that the tag is automatically supplied to the placement device 10. Preferably, the second driving direction y1 coincides with the loading direction y1 of the tag in the holding member 101. Since the loading direction y1 can be orthogonal to both the first driving direction x2 and to the translational movement of the placement device in the direction x1, the supply device 11 and the placement device 10 can thus be configured to increase the compactness of the system 1. Consequently, the handling of the system 1 by an operator, or even its installation on a standard production line for the support 3, is facilitated. For example, the width of the system 1 is approximately 150 mm.
In the example illustrated by
To drive the strip 20 in the first driving direction x2, then in the second driving direction y1 after the bevel gear 1110, the drive member 110 may comprise a plurality of rollers, intended to be in contact with the strip 20 and rotatable around a direction perpendicular to the driving direction of the strip 20. At least one roller can be rotated by a motor 1100, for example by a belt 1101 as illustrated in
According to a particular embodiment, the drive member comprises a pair of rollers, with a lower roller 1102 that is rotated via its end 1102a by the motor 1100, and an upper roller 1103, each roller being in contact with one face of the strip 20. Thus, the transmission of the movement from the roller 1102 to the strip 20 is facilitated. At least one roller, and preferably the lower roller 1102, may have a rough surface 1102b, for example a grip or a rough silicone coating, to further promote this transmission of movement. In addition, this pair of rollers can ensure alignment of the strip 20 with the holding member 101, more particularly to ensure the insertion of the strip 20 into the jaw 1010. To this end, this pair of rollers can be arranged close to the holding member 101, and in particular the jaw 1010, along the driving direction y1.
The lower roller 1102 can also be configured to be stationary relative to the system 1, while the upper roller 1103 can have relative translational mobility relative to the lower roller 1102, in a vertical direction, so as to be in contact with an upper face of the strip 20, including when the thickness of the tag 2 varies. Thus, the system 1 can accommodate tags 20 of different thicknesses. The variations in thickness that can be accommodated are typically of the order of 1.5 to 2 mm. Note that alternatively, provision can be made for the relative positions of these two rollers to be reversed.
To allow the relative mobility of the upper roller 1103, the supply device 11 can comprise a thickness adaptation member 114, on which at least the upper roller 1103 is mounted. The lower roller can also be mounted stationary on the thickness adaptation member 114. According to the example illustrated in
The supply device 11 can be configured to separate each tag 2 from the strip 20. To this end, the supply device 11 may comprise a cutting member 112. Preferably, the cutting member is arranged between the drive member 110 and the holding member 101, so that the drive member 110 inserts a tag 2 of the strip 20 into the holding member 101, and so that the cutting member 112 cuts the strip 20 in order to separate this tag 2. The cutting member 112 is preferably actuated when the holding member 101 is in the tag 2 holding configuration. Cutting is thus performed more reliably by the system 1. In particular, the risk of the tag shifting during cutting is minimized, or even avoided, which limits the risk of damaging the RFID circuit of the tag.
The cutting is preferably mechanical, which saves on costs and facilitates the maintenance of the cutting member. According to the example illustrated in
A detection module 115 can cooperate with the cutting member 112 to coordinate its actuation. From a strip 20, the system 1 thus allows the separation of each tag 2 in an automated manner, for example for the supply thereof to the holding member 101. More particularly, the detection module 115 can detect an interstitial zone 21 between two successive tags 2 of the strip 20. This interstitial zone 21 can in particular be an optical mark, such as a print line or a change in appearance of the fabric of the strip, for example following cauterization of the fabric. To detect it, the detection module 115 can comprise an optical sensor 1150, preferably arranged along the second driving direction y1.
After a rapid advance corresponding to a fraction, for example configurable, of the length of the tag 2, the motor 1100 can reduce the driving speed of the strip 20 until the detection module 115 detects the interstitial zone 21. The strip 20 can then be driven by a fixed pitch corresponding to the distance between the detection module 115 and the cutting member 112. The risk of a bad cut is minimized or even avoided. Preferably, the detection module 115 is preferentially placed after the drive member 110 in order to minimize the distance between the detection module 115 and the cutting member 112.
Furthermore, the supply device 11 may comprise a verification module 113, configured to detect a mark 22 that is characteristic of a defect in the tag 2 and to cooperate with the placement device 10 so as not to place the tag 2 on the support 3. The verification module 113 makes it possible to avoid placing, or even attaching, a defective tag 2 on the support. Tag preparation efficiency can therefore be maximized.
The mark 22 can in particular be an optical mark, such as a printing mark or an alteration of the tag 2, such as a hole drilled in the tag. According to one example, this mark is affixed to the tag 2 during a verification of the state of the RFID tag upstream of the winding of the strip 20. To detect this mark, the verification module 113 can use the optical sensor 1150 of the detection module 115, which avoids the addition of an additional sensor to the system 1.
Following the detection of this mark, the placement device 10 can eject the tag 2. The detection, or even the ejection, of a defective tag can be comprised in the tag preparation method. When the displacement member 100 is in the loading position, the holding member 101 being in the release configuration, the jaw 1010 can be translated from the loading position to an ejection position, in the direction x1, the ejection position being farther from the placement position than the loading position. The sliding plate 1012 can also remain stationary. Thus, the sliding plate 1012 can be offset from the position of the jaw 1010. This offset of the sliding plate 1012 can promote the tilting of the tag 2, for example in a scrap collection bin placed below.
In order to control all the actions of the system 1, the system 1 can comprise a control module, not illustrated in the figures. Provision can also be made for certain modules or members of the system to be manually operable, such as the cutting member 112, for example. The control module can further comprise a touchscreen, allowing the setting of the system 1, or even manual tests.
The method for preparing a radiofrequency identification tag 2 for attachment to a support 3 is now described according to one embodiment. The method uses the system 1 according to the features stated above.
The method comprises supplying at least one radiofrequency identification tag 2 to the placement device 10, and more particularly to the holding member. Through the movement of the displacement member 100 from the loading position to the placement position, the tag 2 is positioned on the support 3.
The tag 2 can be supplied by the supply device 10. The tag 2 can be supplied in the form of the strip 20 of tags 2, for example rolled up in the form of a reel. Prior to supplying the tag, the method may comprise a step of treating the strip 20 so as to mark the interstitial zone 21 between at least two successive tags, and preferably between each tag 2. This treatment may comprise ultrasound cauterization of the fabric of the tag 2 at the interstitial zone 21. Cauterization advantageously allows fraying of the fabric of the tag 2 to be avoided during cutting thereof.
It should be noted that the method can comprise additional steps corresponding to the actions of the system 1 described above.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described and extends to all embodiments covered by the claims.
The examples given describe packaging of the tags 2 in strips 20, in which the tags 2 are secured by their width. It is possible to provide packaging in which the tags 2 are secured by their length, and an adaptation of the dimensions of the system 1 to accommodate this packaging.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913203 | Nov 2019 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/082741 | 11/19/2020 | WO |
